How to: Add Dual Zone ATC to a Tradesman

Disclaimer: Links on this page pointing to Amazon, eBay and other sites may include affiliate code. If you click them and make a purchase, we may earn a small commission.

STecoD

Senior Member
Joined
Apr 2, 2017
Posts
162
Reaction score
174
Location
NorCal
Ram Year
2015 Crew Cab Tradesman
Engine
3.0L Diesel
I have had single zone ATC for my truck for awhile and wanted to look into doing the mod of converting it over to dual zone ATC. I was looking at the difference in the wiring and the parts to get it done. While the parts aren't that much, the work involved is pretty fun. I would like to thank @Ricks Ram for the help tearing my truck apart and putting it all back together and @Mpgrimm2 for helping with sending me a harness.

The first thing to do is get the freon recovered and then remove the dash of the truck. A side note before you do this on a Crew cab, the vents that are under the carpet should be disconnected before pulling the dash. Else you will not be able to disconnect them with the dash laying over them. A great video series on this is


You have to unplug all the wiring like is said in the videos.
7d18a65981fed7e4bb5e204601e2e494.jpg

Unbolt the 6 bolts on either side of the dash.
425a65470213132932de14ba302d3a03.jpga4eb2991a4f7b676acfb0f8dbdcf6f36.jpg
Unbolt the 2 bolts at the front of the dash.

Unplug the battery, obd2 port, hood release, footwell light, parking brake release, both large connectors, and the brake sensor and unbolt the steering column by removing the 4 nuts and then remove the two bolts under the steering wheel. The dash will now pull forward by lifting it up slightly.
4f83e2a22dc3a39841d4ee15230c1836.jpg5bf5ca8ee0e2235bcc9135357eb87d3e.jpg7985643ef4df98dcf3092380ce76ebd7.jpg385dce6c0f6bb79cbab836c0af4a2b42.jpg

You have to remove the freon lines and the heater hoses to get the box out. Unbolt the box to make it easier to get the heater hoses released.
313877e074da18429358b3921a4e0a24.jpg
Once you have the old box out with the fan, now would be a good time to install a cabin air filter, you need to pull the wiring off the old box and install on the new plenum box( you can also clean the condenser if it's dirty). You have to add one wire to pin 6 of the grey plug and then tap into the DB/PK wire that goes to pin 12 on the grey plug to make the connections for the new blend motor.
c65933fc76335b65ce0594a3d4e365ba.jpgd294867742ea8a91580b0968fb4d3909.jpg31499fdbb83ea4bf3b32262f97a9d940.jpg085822dbf6b259e89434b6980f1de173.jpg3557d17ab819e1a1025641183ed22f41.jpg

Reinstall the box and the dash.

You will now have to pin the HVAC module plug in pin 3 to pin 6 of the grey plug. Get the A/C recharged. Use Alfa to set to Dual zone ATC. Enjoy playing with it.
16b31f70904f9cf9d294a8e6c3d47a8d.jpg

Parts I used.
1- HVAC plenum box 68214902AB eBay
1- Blend motor 68089742AA eBay used
1- Blend door connectors 571-1456985-3
2- Blend door pins 571-1393366-1
1- HVAC-Plug pins 571-1123343-1
1/1- Grey plug pins (I32A) 7114-4112-02 and 7116-4112-02
 
Last edited:

ps2012st

Junior Member
Supporting Member
Joined
Dec 19, 2012
Posts
26
Reaction score
12
Location
Cathedral City, CA
Ram Year
2018 Express Regular Cab
Engine
3.6 Pentastar
Wow..that was some monumental undertaking for dual zone A/C. Congrats on your hard work and for documenting here.
 

mjf6175

Senior Member
Joined
Nov 13, 2017
Posts
433
Reaction score
370
Location
NJ
Ram Year
2017
Engine
cummins
Holy ****........talk about diving right into the deep end of the pool......MAJOR PROPS to you. I would never be able do this to my Ram, my severe case of OCD just would not allow this. I would have to be de-fibrillated half way through this. In fact I almost went there just looking at your pics. CONGRATS on the mod once again...........
 

Ricks Ram

Senior Member
Joined
May 1, 2015
Posts
4,411
Reaction score
3,386
Ram Year
2014
Engine
Hemi 5.7
Nice write up! A quick note we are doing my Quad Cab next. I already ordered the Dual Zone plenum box for my truck. The part number for my 2014 Quad Cab is. 68048891AF. The plenum box is really not that expensive. I ordered mine from Benny at Allmoparoarts.com and is was under $150. The biggest part of doing the job is taking the truck in to have the freon evacuated from the system so you can take the box out and then refilling it when you are done. Pulling the dash wasn't as hard as one might think. Looking forward to doing mine next.


Sent from my SM-G960U using Tapatalk
 

Ghost_RAM

Senior Member
Joined
Jan 10, 2018
Posts
1,367
Reaction score
1,088
Location
VA
Ram Year
2016
Engine
Hemi 5.7
No, no, no...No. I will not be following you in doing this on mine. Lol

Great write-up StecoD! You guys always do amazing work
 

Ricks Ram

Senior Member
Joined
May 1, 2015
Posts
4,411
Reaction score
3,386
Ram Year
2014
Engine
Hemi 5.7
Lol! I said the same thing when STecoD hit me up about doing his. The guy has no fear he just goes for it....... I was like of course I'll help you do yours but I'm not doing mine......next thing you know we got his done and I ordered the box for mine! It looks hard but honestly it's not that bad. Besides paying to have your freon evacuated and then refilled it's really not that expensive. It's probably a total of a $175 for the blend door motor, plenum box and the wiring needed. It's a lot cheaper than a lot of mods we actually do just a little bit more involved. Also it works perfectly. We were fortunate because my son-in-law works at a fleet dealership. He evacuated the system for us and then refilled it for no charge because there was no freon used. He just put the freon back in that he took out.

Sent from my SM-G960U using Tapatalk
 

Ghost_RAM

Senior Member
Joined
Jan 10, 2018
Posts
1,367
Reaction score
1,088
Location
VA
Ram Year
2016
Engine
Hemi 5.7
Ok, fine. Just let me know when you two are going to be here and I'll make sure to order the parts.

I am seriously considering this but I have a few other items on the list that need taken care of first. There is one thing I can say is there is nothing that can't be done to our Rams now. At least I can't think of anything.


Edit: Linked to Alfa OP
 
Last edited:
OP
OP
STecoD

STecoD

Senior Member
Joined
Apr 2, 2017
Posts
162
Reaction score
174
Location
NorCal
Ram Year
2015 Crew Cab Tradesman
Engine
3.0L Diesel
Holy ****........talk about diving right into the deep end of the pool......MAJOR PROPS to you. I would never be able do this to my Ram, my severe case of OCD just would not allow this. I would have to be de-fibrillated half way through this. In fact I almost went there just looking at your pics. CONGRATS on the mod once again...........

It’s not too bad. Had it evacuated and had the box swapped and still made it to work the same day. Have to keep the daily driver going. Problem I ran into was when I wanted to get it recharged I ran into scheduling issues. Got a little toasty.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
 

Remen

Member
Joined
Feb 13, 2019
Posts
51
Reaction score
25
Location
CA
Ram Year
2017
Engine
3.0L Diesel
Outstanding! I just finished the single ATC modification using Mpgrimm2’s harnesses and couldn’t be happier. Now I know this upgrade is possible and would bring even more smiles to my face. I’ll need to get started before the heat rises in the Central Valley.
 

Ricks Ram

Senior Member
Joined
May 1, 2015
Posts
4,411
Reaction score
3,386
Ram Year
2014
Engine
Hemi 5.7
I just got my HVAC box. STecoD and I will be doing mine soon. Total price with shipping $147. It's a pretty big job but definitely doable and not very expensive.

Sent from my SM-G960U using Tapatalk
 

FlatbedHemi

Senior Member
Joined
Apr 10, 2019
Posts
217
Reaction score
99
Location
Texas
Ram Year
2015
Engine
6.4
So, whats the total cost of this swap, for all parts?
 

Ricks Ram

Senior Member
Joined
May 1, 2015
Posts
4,411
Reaction score
3,386
Ram Year
2014
Engine
Hemi 5.7
So, whats the total cost of this swap, for all parts?
It's not bad. The HVAC box is around $150. You will need a blend door motor. Not sure what they cost new but they are $10 to $20 on Ebay used. We have just been putting the used one it the easiest place to change in case we get a bad one. The wiring and connector is around $20. You can install the dual zone bezel if you want. You can get them used for $60 to $100. You will also need to have the alpha tool to program it. The biggest problem is evacuating the freon and refilling it when your done. The prices for this seem to vary quite a bit. There aren't a huge amount of shops that have the machine to evacuate and charge the new r1234 refrigerant yet if your truck happens to be one of the ones that has it like mine.

Sent from my SM-G960U using Tapatalk
 

Ricks Ram

Senior Member
Joined
May 1, 2015
Posts
4,411
Reaction score
3,386
Ram Year
2014
Engine
Hemi 5.7
Ok STecoD and I installed my Dual Zone ATC plenum today. This is a mod that actually sounds harder than it is and the cost is minimal compared to some other features we have added. I paid $100 to have my system evacuated and recharged and around $250 for the plenum box,8.4 Dual Zone bezel extra blend door motor and wiring. I know this is not a mod for everyone but it works great. It's a two man job only because you want to be careful when removing the dash. There are some YouTube videos that show how to remove the dash that kind of show that it's not really as bad as it sounds. It actually takes us longer to install the Push Button Start than it did to install the Dual Zone ATC. Thanks again to STecoD for this write up and helping me install mine8f73de6747d560dc4c2f730dba6aabbb.jpgec347a06b2f26b569ee4a9710f3bd279.jpgabebff0805f0e06bb96fcc6c2c73d255.jpg0189db0f8b18cfe521b69a42e2314631.jpg

Sent from my SM-G960U using Tapatalk
 
Last edited:

Ricks Ram

Senior Member
Joined
May 1, 2015
Posts
4,411
Reaction score
3,386
Ram Year
2014
Engine
Hemi 5.7
Ok I need to do a quick update on my Dual Zone install. When we do this we need to buy the extra blend door motor. To make a long story short. My system started acting funny. My air direction settings would not go where directed and I would lose control of my recirculation door. I tried everything and it persisted. If I unplugged the heater control module it would reset and function normally for a short time and then act up again. STecoD and I made sure we put our untested blend door motors on the drivers temp blend door because it's the easiest one to access when everything is put back together. The only thing that worked correctly was the temp settings and the fan control. I could see the new blend door motor working perfectly so assumed it couldn't be my problem. STecoD was able to get a code from the HVAC module that showed it had an intermittent short but it was hard to tell which motor it was referring to. The motor that controls the air direction function is much harder to see. We put his driver temp blend door motor in my truck and the system functioned normally. We then bought another new motor from Auto Zone because the dealer was closed and the system malfunctioned again. Double checked the part number at other places and it showed correct. In the end it turned out being the new motor affecting the whole system even though it seemed to be the only one working correctly. This one had me spinning in circles. Luckily I had a right STecoD was able to get us a code to try to narrow it down. I was literally getting ready to pull it apart because I thought I must have pinched a wire or done something wrong. I ordered the correct motor from the dealer. The system works perfectly. When you do this upgrade do NOT put in the Doorman part# 604-005. It will show it's the correct one but it is not! Had I put that motor on the back of the new system I would have had to tear the whole dash out to replace it. I reccomend getting the factory motor Mopar part# 68448026AA and you should be fine.

Sent from my SM-G960U using Tapatalk
 
Last edited:

CHAD HENSLEY

Junior Member
Joined
Jul 1, 2019
Posts
1
Reaction score
1
Location
Virginia
Ram Year
2016
Engine
6.7
Hello,

I have 2016 2500 tradesman that I would like to do this on. I am having difficulty finding the HVAC plenum box. I have found the listed parts but sites say it doesn't fit my vehicle. Can anyone help?
 

Ricks Ram

Senior Member
Joined
May 1, 2015
Posts
4,411
Reaction score
3,386
Ram Year
2014
Engine
Hemi 5.7
Hello,

I have 2016 2500 tradesman that I would like to do this on. I am having difficulty finding the HVAC plenum box. I have found the listed parts but sites say it doesn't fit my vehicle. Can anyone help?
It is normal for it to say it won't fit your vehicle because Dual Zone is not an option on a Tradesman. It said the same thing for my truck. The way to do it is to find two trucks that are Laramie 2500's on Ebay for sale the same year and cab configuration as your truck. If your truck has a jump seat and no center console make sure the trucks you look up are the same. If your truck is a diesel make sure the trucks you look up are diesels. All Laramie's are Dual Zone. Get at least two vin#s and message Benny at allmoparparts who is in the vendor section on this forum and tell him what you are doing. He will use those vin#s to get the part# for the correct HVAC box for your truck and you can order it from him. I had mine in a week or two after I gave him the vin#s. I've had mine done for about a month now and I really like it. Wife likes her side a little warmer so she is enjoying the ability to adjust her side. I have been hoping someone else would do this mod because it's really not as hard as it sounds. Good luck, post any questions you may have and myself or @STecoD will try to help.

Sent from my SM-G960U using Tapatalk
 

Remen

Member
Joined
Feb 13, 2019
Posts
51
Reaction score
25
Location
CA
Ram Year
2017
Engine
3.0L Diesel
I finally got the HVAC box and started the installation this weekend. I reviewed the suggested videos and studied the schematic provided by @STecoD and then removed the box for replacement.
For my 2017 Tradesman Club cab there are other actions needed before removing the panel. Remove the additional 10 mm nut to the left behind the module bracket in the engine compartment. Remove the air duct on the drivers side attached to the panel frame. Detach the wire harness from the lower left of the panel and floor. Now the panel is free to remove.

Here is the 10 mm nut.
D16A6AE2-5E35-4F94-87BD-502D06420496.jpegThe air duct connected to the drivers side panel frame.
143D7281-2C90-416F-94B5-3BE1C93FA3DB.jpegTo the left of the bolt detach the wire harness from the panel frame and the also from the floor in front of the bolt.449A0695-769D-4263-9A58-58B4703960E3.jpeg
After parting the fan assembly from the main box I reinspected the replacement HVAC box and discovered a crack at the front and forward mounting location.192BE63F-25D1-4A95-BCA6-8603FD67D2F7.jpegI had to resolve this issue because I wasn’t about to install this box. It took time but here is what I was able do. I compared the original box to the damaged boxes I had received and found that the part numbers were the same on the main box. I visually confirmed there were no differences aside the manufacturers label. So I split the replacement box and removed the dual deflector panels for the dual zone option and then split and removed the single zone on the original(undamaged) box and installed the dual zone panels. Attached the fan assembly and wire harness and readied for reinstallation the next day.

Note. May have a viable option if you can order the dual zone panels and split the box to replace the single zone panels. You still have to remove the box and fan assembly and then split the box just enough to install the panels.
 

Remen

Member
Joined
Feb 13, 2019
Posts
51
Reaction score
25
Location
CA
Ram Year
2017
Engine
3.0L Diesel
Sunday, HVAC box installation continues. I had to wire the connectors as describe by @STecoD and connect the actuator.E1CB738D-F115-4450-92F8-6E00087AD8CB.jpegB42567D9-9DC7-4D24-93B4-F9F7E62F5932.jpeg It would have been better if I had drained the coolant rather than pinch the hoses it was just a matter of clean up.

Reversed the order of things and installed the box and panel. Actuator movement tested successfully. I will recharge the A/C system later today and fully test the system.9D2BE60F-DDE7-4CE0-93FB-7153414FA5D6.jpeg
 

Lawsuit11

Senior Member
Joined
Sep 10, 2018
Posts
817
Reaction score
679
Location
Fort Worth, TX
Ram Year
2018 1500
Engine
Hemi 5.7
So with this Mod. Do you still only use your one temp sensor on the drivers side knee panel? Cause how does it actually determine the temp on the passenger side if there is no temp sensor on the passenger side or am I missing something?


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
 

Ricks Ram

Senior Member
Joined
May 1, 2015
Posts
4,411
Reaction score
3,386
Ram Year
2014
Engine
Hemi 5.7
So with this Mod. Do you still only use your one temp sensor on the drivers side knee panel? Cause how does it actually determine the temp on the passenger side if there is no temp sensor on the passenger side or am I missing something?


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
Yes it only uses one interior temp sensor. This is the way all the Dual Zone units I have worked on operate. There is also another temp sensor prong in the box itself but the Dual Zone unit and the Single Zone unit use the same one.

Sent from my SM-G960U using Tapatalk
 
Top